Joe Schmidt’s side will head to Paris needing to win to ensure they don’t become the first side since 1958 to go winless on a four-Test tour of Europe after being hammered in Ireland.
Somehow the Wallabies were still in the contest after 65 minutes, but another terrible lineout saw their faint hopes of a come-from-behind victory blow up.
Little went right from the Wallabies, who were woeful at the set-piece and just as bad under the high ball.
The 17 turnovers allowed Ireland to enjoy 68 per cent possession in the second half.
While the men in the middle were poor, several selections left plenty to be desired – and it was no surprise the Wallabies’ lineout struggled given their lack of height across the pack.
The return of James O’Connor didn’t work either, with the 35-year-old enjoying a roller-coaster ride in Dublin.
But is anyone surprised after he was enjoying holidays a week ago, having initially being told he wasn’t required?
Here are our player ratings from the 46-19 defeat to Ireland, where the home side scored three tries in the last ten minutes.
Max Jorgensen – 3.5
After Andrew Kellaway had failed to set the world alight in the opening couple of Tests on the road, Jorgensen returned to the position he filled during the Bledisloe Tests. But it was a Test where little went right for the rising outside back. There were glimpses of what Jorgensen can do, but on the whole, the fleet-footed back struggled. He made a meal of a Sam Prendergast 50-22 effort in the ninth minute and, seconds later, Ireland had their second try. Jorgensen was forced back into his own goal line in the 27th minute – and once again the Wallabies paid a heavy price, with his opposite Mack Hansen grabbing his third try. Jorgensen also threw a forward pass in the 44th minute.
Harry Potter – 4.5
Managed to deny wrecking-ball hooker Dan Sheehan up over the line in the 50th minute, but on the whole Potter struggled in the wet. He was beaten a couple of times in the air, including in the fifth minute, which started the Wallabies’ horrors under the high ball. He also threw one ball into touch in the 30th minute.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – 5.5
Although Suaalii didn’t manage to impose himself on the Test like he would have wanted, the outside centre looked like he belonged. He generally took a couple to bring him down, he was a presence under the high ball and he batted one back like he did against England on Test debut. Defensively he also imposed himself more, making a strong tackle on Bundee Aki to force the midfielder out.
Len Ikitau – 6
Played his first Test since the Bledisloe defeat in Perth and immediately made a difference. Ikitau scored in the 18th minute and looked comfortable playing alongside James O’Connor.
Filipo Daugunu – 5
Daugunu carried with vigour, but the left-winger was beaten in the air on a couple of occasions, including in the 26th minute. That then led to Jamison Gibson-Park turning the winger around again and peeling off a 50-22.
James O’Connor – 4
Just like his podcast, it was a case of the good, bad and rugby for the veteran No.10. But who’s surprised by that? After all, a week ago he was enjoying a break after being told he wasn’t needed. Next second, with the Wallabies losing one of their two playmakers to injury, O’Connor was called up and thrown to the wolves. It was never going to end well. O’Connor made one poor pass in the fourth minute when his left-to-right pass hit the deck ahead of Max Jorgensen and resulted in the Wallabies being forced to have a lineout on their own line. Not long after he spilt a ball stepping back into traffic and then dropped a midfield bomb from Prendergast. But O’Connor did start to work his way back into the Test nicely, bringing some more width to the Wallabies’ game and combining nicely with Ikitau. He even found his confidence by kicking for the corner (case in point the 65th minute) after a couple of early wobbles.
Jake Gordon – 6
Defensively was strong and tried hard, but it’s all too predictable from the Wallabies’ halfback. That said, the Wallabies were in the contest whilst Gordon was on – and their struggles had little to do with him.
Harry Wilson (c) – 6
Cleaned up his discipline, tried hard and offered a bit in attack.
Fraser McReight – 5.5
Pinged for being offside early and going off his feet in the 76th minute, McReight simply couldn’t get into the Test – but then again, he wasn’t allowed too because of his teammates’ struggles at the set-piece and under the high ball. McReight scored on the stroke of half-time to bring the Wallabies back into it.
Rob Valetini – 5
Another who struggled to impose himself, Valetini’s biggest highlight was spilling a ball in the 59th minute when the Wallabies had a massive overlap. He was replaced soon after.
Tom Hooper – 6
Playing in tighter, Hooper made a team high 14 tackles and 11 carries. They were more than reasonable numbers for the former Brumby. But you do have to question whether his selection in the second-row was detrimental to the Wallabies’ overall efforts because his selection alongside Jeremy Williams, as well as Valetini and Wilson in the back-row, meant there wasn’t a single player over 200cm – and it showed, as Ireland picked apart their lineout.
Jeremy Williams – 5
Beaten on a couple of occasions in the lineout, Williams wasn’t able to command the set-piece like he would have liked. The Force lock was also pinged for being offside in the sixth minute. Williams was replaced after 55 minutes.
Allan Alaalatoa – 5
Had a more than reasonable first half, but was penalised twice at the scrum inside seven minutes in the second half. The struggles led to Ireland picking up some handy three-pointers soon after.
Matt Faessler – 3.5
Really struggled with his lineout in what were horrible conditions. Faessler lost five lineouts, including two in a minute, and a couple to start the second-half.
Angus Bell – 5
One lovely dummy in the 15th minute, which helped create some space for Potter to turn Ireland around. Bell also knocked on in the 38th minute, before being replaced early in the second half.
Replacements
Billy Pollard – 4.5
Scored a late try, but when the Wallabies were in with a chance of making a comeback, Pollard’s lineout throw went wonky. It was a coach-killer of epic proportion.
Tom Robertson – 4.5
Lots of work-rate, but Robertson wasn’t able to influence the Test.
Zane Nonggorr – 4.5
Came on with 20 minutes to go, but the scrum didn’t get any better packing down against Andrew Porter.
Nick Frost – 4
Yellow carded in the 70th minute. The Wallabies scored one soon after, but then conceded two in a few minutes.
Carlo Tizzano – 5
Made a strong carry after replacing Valetini, but otherwise wasn’t cited.
Ryan Lonergan – N/A
Replaced Gordon with less than ten minutes, Lonergan hasn’t been trusted. He’ll need to be against France, but it’s a giant test because Les Bleus are a huge physical challenge.
Tane Edmed – N/A
Like Lonergan, Edmed came on with less than ten minutes to go. One reasonable chip that almost turned into something for Suaalii.
Andrew Kellaway – 4.5
Beaten in the air immediately after replacing Daugunu.
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